Andrea Brown is wrong... isn't she?

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Paizley Allez-Vouz

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Kid lit super agent Andrea Brown once said that the world doesn't need another rhyming tooth fairy book.

I disagree so much that I took her quip as a chalenge, and wrote Hairy harry the New Tooth Fairy.

I believe the story proves her wrong, but selling a million copies would prove her really, really wrong!

So, I am looking for an agent who loves silly, fun, funny wordcraft. And I'm hoping one or more of you might be armed with contact information to one or more of such creatures and kind enough to share with me PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

Yes, I tried Andrea Brown but I don't think she was impressed because she has not written back ;(

Hairy Harry the New Tooth Fairy is the 6th in a series called SWEET AND SALTY CRACKERS. All SASC stories are filled with rhyming and alliteration.

Brevity is something I've never been good at, but I am trying to get better, s I will leave stop now and leave you with Hairy harry the New Tooth Fairy. I hope you enjoy it.

PAV

SWEET AND SALTY CRACKERS
HAIRY HARRY THE NEW TOOTH FAIRY (a Valentine for Andrea Brown)

Silly Sally’s tooth was loose,
it was going to come out.
It did not hurt, there was no pain,
no need to scream and shout.

She put her finger on the tooth,
it went wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.
The funny wobbling feelings
made her giggle, giggle, giggle.

Silly Sally said, “If the new tooth is a fang,
I might be a vampire!
And if that is the case,
I will need to acquire the appropriate attire.”

“If your new tooth is a fang,”
laughed Rah Rah Ronny,
“you might be an orangutang.”

“You mean to say ‘oranguTAN’,
my furry-footed friend,”
said Silly Sally,
“because there is no G on the end.”

“A monkey is a monkey,
with a G or not,”
replied Rah Rah Ronny.
“And if you are a monkey,
your parents will be distraught.”

Silly Sally said, “Orangutans are not monkeys,
even though they have a monkey kind of shape.
If it doesn’t have a tail it’s not a monkey.
If it doesn’t have a tail it’s not a monkey,
it’s an ape.
Veggie Tales taught me that.”

Silly Sally kept wiggle, wiggle, wiggling
her wobbly, wobbly tooth,
until out it came.
“Now I am a vampire!”
the little girl exclaimed.

Bon-bon Bonny babbled,
“If you are Count Dracula, I am a tarantula.
If you are Count Dracula, I am a tarantula.
If you are Count Dracula, I am a tarantula.”

Then, a little creature popped out of thin air.
It had white hair everywhere,
like a pretty polar bear.
It was small and cute and furry,
and it spoke in an awful hurry.

“Bonjour! I concur,” it said.
“She is still a girl, for sure.”

“Who and what are you?” asked Bon-bon Bonny.
“Yeah, who and what are you,” repeated Rah Rah Ronny.

“My name is Harry, and I am a fairy,”
answered Harry the Fairy.

“You are very hairy for a fairy,”
said Silly Sally.
“You are not scary, little Harry,
but you are extraordinary.”

“I am not extraordinary.
I have proof to the contrary.
Please meet:
Hairy Terry,
Hairy Jerry,
Hairy Carey,
Hairy Gary,
Hairy Barry,
Harry Perry
and Hairy Larry.
We are the new breed of tooth fairy.”

“So,” roared Rah Rah Ronny,
“you have come for her tooth,
and you are going to give her money?!”

“Not so fast there, little sonny.
Times are tough, we have no money,”
said Hairy Harry the tooth fairy.
“Just what would you do if we gave you cash?
I bet that you would make a quick dash,
straight to the candy store,
and we can tolerate than no more.
That’s why the old tooth fairies were shown the door.”

Silly Sally was dejected.
“Not a vampire,
and now no money,” she sighed.
“All my wishes have been rejected.”

“Cheer up, Silly Sally,
we do have something for you,”
said Hairy Harry the tooth fairy.
“And we will teach you something new, too!”

Then Harry,
Terry,
Gary,
Jerry,
Carey,
Perry
and Larry
plucked fur from their bodies hairy.

“Look here, children,” said Hairy Harry
do you see these things,
that we have separated
into strings?”

Silly Sally, Rah Rah Ronny and Bon-bon Bonny all nodded,
and the hairy tooth fairies applauded.

“This is dental floss,” said Hairy Harry the tooth fairy.
“And this is a little trick to keep your teeth clean,
in between,
where bacteria grow,
but are never seen.”

Hairy Harry the tooth fairy
Wrapped a string around two fingers.
He said,
“Some food gets in between your teeth and lingers.”

Between two teeth he slid the string,
then gave his wrists a little fling.
Again and again the string went down and up,
and forth and back,
the invisible bacteria were under attack!
“You must do this every time you brush,
because the bacteria always come back,”
said Hairy Harry the tooth fairy.

“Yes, sir,” said Rah Rah Ronny.

“You’re the boss,” said Bon-bon Bonny.

“Brush and floss, brush and floss, brush and floss, brush and floss,” said Silly Sally.

THE END
 

Polenth

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I'd suggest editing out the text of your book. Once you hit 50 post, you can post it in the password protected 'Share Your Work' area for critiques.

As a general comment, when agents say something is overdone, I wouldn't take that as a challenge to prove them wrong. It means they get a lot of books on that subject, making it even harder to stand out. It's not easy to stand out in the picture book world as it is. You'd be better off coming up with something that isn't on their "don't send me this" list.
 

Paizley Allez-Vouz

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Thanks, Polenth.

I'm not really looking for critiques, though. I'm quite happy with the text.

I am, as I wrote, hoping to find someone who knows of an agent who likes this kind of thing, and it would be hard for people to know what I mean without posting the text.
 

Polenth

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Terie

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I'm not really looking for critiques, though. I'm quite happy with the text.

Posting the complete work in a non-password protected space such as this will make many agents and editors consider first publication rights already to have been exercised, and few will want only reprint rights. Why should anyone pay you money for something you've already offered on the internet for free? Don't think that agents and editors don't google things.
 

Paizley Allez-Vouz

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Again, Polenth, thank you.

I am not too worried about putting my stories up online. There are tens of thousands of people doing the same thing on all sorts of crowd sourcing sites, many of which have very dubious Terms of Use agreements.

If someone does try to steal Hairy Harry, and succeed, they might actually be doing me a favour because I would not only sue and win, but I would also likely land a fat contract because I have five other stories just like it and can write many many more.

Everything is a gamble, and this is one I am willing to take.

I am actively researching and contacting agents. My hope is that this post will help me locate agents who are fond of the kinds of stories I write.
 

Terie

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Terie: SWEET AND SALTY CRACKERS are meant to be PICTURE BOOKS. Without pictures, they are no more than poems, and we all know the going rate for poetry these days, don't we?

Good luck with that, then. If you really think you know the score better than those of use who've been around children's book publishing for a long time, then at least we know not to bother trying to help you out.
 

Paizley Allez-Vouz

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Why all the... hostility? Or contempt? Or... whatever it is?

Times have change and continue to do so very quickly.

Take a look at http://www.wattpad.com/about

"3.2 million stories posted with another 300,000+ added every month"

That's just one of many many crowd sourcing, story sharing sites.

Once again, thank you both for your opinions and concerns. Seriously, I appreciate it.

But, I repeat, I've started this thread in the hope of finding an agent who is known for having a soft spot for silly, fun, rhyming PBs, and I am willing to take my chances with other issues that may arise from my attempts to do so.
 

owlion

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You'll have a better chance at representation by going down the usual submission routes. I'm not sure how many agents hang around AW on a regular basis (they seem to mostly go to SYW regardless). It's a nice idea, but I think you might be better off writing a query and getting 50 posts together to go to SYW and get some feedback :) It's been really helpful for me, at least.
 

Pyekett

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Why all the... hostility? Or contempt? Or... whatever it is?
...
Once again, thank you both for your opinions and concerns. Seriously, I appreciate it.

But, I repeat, I've started this thread in the hope of finding an agent who is known for having a soft spot for silly, fun, rhyming PBs, and I am willing to take my chances with other issues that may arise from my attempts to do so.

Welcome to Absolute Write, Paizley Allez-Vouz.

I'm glad you have completed your work, and it's great that you are passionate in trying to promote it. You are running into problems here because you are not using this site as intended--getting the benefit of showing your work for feedback only comes after some investment in the community (50 posts), and only in a specific space under password protection. It's a privilege.

This also isn't a place to directly solicit an agent, no matter if it seems like a good idea at the time, for the same reasons we are exhorted in the Newbie Guide not to sign up just to promote our own websites or blogs. Site isn't designed to be used that way, and we are asked not to do it.

I'm flagging this for moderation in case I am wrong about this. I did want to make sure you knew that the response wasn't so much hostility or contempt, but just the frustration and irritation one would find if [she] went into, hmmm, an Italian fine restaurant and set up [her] own wok in the middle of the bar area, sizzling up an entree and offering it to anyone interested. Not a great analogy, but it will do:

1. Wrong place, wrong time, wrong action
2. The other diners are there precisely because they are not looking for something like this and don't expect it there
3. You don't have permission to do that on this private property (and yes, this is private property--it is paid for and maintained by individuals who have set guidelines in how to use it)
4. Everyone else (more or less) is following the posted rules, and you either didn't see them or chose to ignore them

Now that may be a damn fine Chinese dinner, and you may be an excellent chef. But this isn't your restaurant, eh? No matter how good you are. ;)

In the bigger scheme of things, I hope this works out for you. Best of luck. Your work looks really fun.

I think you'd like it here, too, and look forward to seeing you in the area dedicated to "Show Your Work."
 
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Paizley Allez-Vouz

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Rolling Thunder: I am, as I have already written, actively researching and contacting agents.

Am I somehow "cheating" by asking others if they happen to know an agent who may be interested in representing my work? If so, I apologize.

And, it's not like I am only here to push my own stuff. I just joined today and I have commented on a couple posts, as well as started this and another.
 

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Kid lit super agent Andrea Brown once said that the world doesn't need another rhyming tooth fairy book.

I disagree so much that I took her quip as a chalenge, and wrote Hairy harry the New Tooth Fairy.

Hello and welcome! When you have 50+ posts, put this in Share Your Work and I will be happy to explain why this story as it stands will not attract an agent.
 

Amadan

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Rolling Thunder: I am, as I have already written, actively researching and contacting agents.

Am I somehow "cheating" by asking others if they happen to know an agent who may be interested in representing my work? If so, I apologize.

And, it's not like I am only here to push my own stuff. I just joined today and I have commented on a couple posts, as well as started this and another.

You're ignoring advice because it's not what you want to hear, even though you clearly have no idea what you're doing.
 

Alessandra Kelley

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Why all the... hostility? Or contempt? Or... whatever it is?

Times have change and continue to do so very quickly.

Take a look at http://www.wattpad.com/about

"3.2 million stories posted with another 300,000+ added every month"

That's just one of many many crowd sourcing, story sharing sites.

Once again, thank you both for your opinions and concerns. Seriously, I appreciate it.

But, I repeat, I've started this thread in the hope of finding an agent who is known for having a soft spot for silly, fun, rhyming PBs, and I am willing to take my chances with other issues that may arise from my attempts to do so.

It's not hostility, it is mods, and possibly very experienced professionals, trying gently to help you.

You came onto this site and promptly broke Rule Number One: Don't post your work until you have 50 posts. Polenth tried, gently, to let you know this, and you cheerfully batted that aside, twice.

You have also been given some excellent advice on agents, and on the wisdom of putting a work you hope to sell online, and you batted aside those concerns as well.

People on this site are extraordinarily generous with their experience. It's well worth listening to. I don't see hostility here, just a somewhat firmer restating of good advice which was ignored when it was gently put.
 

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Paizley Allez-Vouz:
Kid lit super agent Andrea Brown once said that the world doesn't need another rhyming tooth fairy book.

That's probably because picture books can be a hard sell for agents and many don't take them because the advances are comparatively small. Publishers typically don't want rhyming picture books because they want worldwide rights and if you're trying to sell into non-English markets then the rhymes typically get lost in translation, which means that the publisher can't make much money from them.

However if you're intent on shopping it, then you're probably better off going to publishers direct. I went to a SCBWI event last month and did a report (link in this thread: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1225&page=2) which includes the submission requirements of 2 publishers who take unsolicited picture books.

Paizley Allez-Vouz:
I believe the story proves her wrong, but selling a million copies would prove her really, really wrong!

The chances of a picture book selling a million copies for a first time author are slim. It's good to have ambition, but don't go in thinking that you're going to be an uber best seller from the start.

Paizley Allez-Vouz:
Hairy Harry the New Tooth Fairy is the 6th in a series called SWEET AND SALTY CRACKERS. All SASC stories are filled with rhyming and alliteration.

Have you sold any of the preceding 5 books?

Paizley Allez-Vouz:
I am, as I wrote, hoping to find someone who knows of an agent who likes this kind of thing, and it would be hard for people to know what I mean without posting the text.

You don't need to post your text in order to ask whether anyone knows of an agent looking for rhyming picture books. It's pretty straight forward. All you do by posting your text is hurt yourself.

Paizley Allez-Vouz:
I am not too worried about putting my stories up online. There are tens of thousands of people doing the same thing on all sorts of crowd sourcing sites, many of which have very dubious Terms of Use agreements.

Yes and those people are also arguably losing their first publication rights. Just because other people do it, doesn't mean it's a good idea. Be savvy and protect yourself.

Paizley Allez-Vouz:
If someone does try to steal Hairy Harry, and succeed, they might actually be doing me a favour because I would not only sue and win, but I would also likely land a fat contract because I have five other stories just like it and can write many many more.

It's not about you being worried about stealing your work, it's about publishers and agents being worried that the work has already gone out there in the market. If people can download it for free because someone else has taken it and published it then how is a publisher supposed to make any money from it and if a publisher doesn't think they can sell it, then an agent won't be able to sell it to a publisher.

Paizley Allez-Vouz:
Why all the... hostility? Or contempt? Or... whatever it is?

I suggest it's more frustration aimed at the fact that you're asking for advice and then not taking it. If you want to argue the toss then that's fine, but don't expect to be treated as someone who's shiny special because you're being a ninny.

Paizley Allez-Vouz:
Take a look at http://www.wattpad.com/about

"3.2 million stories posted with another 300,000+ added every month"

That's just one of many many crowd sourcing, story sharing sites.

And once again, just because there are many crowd sourcing sites out there and many people use them, doesn't mean that they're a good idea.

If you put your stuff for free on-line then you're losing first publishing rights. That makes it easier for agents and publishers to reject you.

If you're intent on getting an agent, then doing something more likely to get yourself rejected seems counter-intuitive.

Paizley Allez-Vouz:
Am I somehow "cheating" by asking others if they happen to know an agent who may be interested in representing my work? If so, I apologize.

Given your attitude, I seriously doubt that anyone here is going to recommend you to a specific agent. You don't hold yourself out as behaving in a professional manner and you seem hostile to anyone who's trying to educate you on how to get on in this industry.

MM
 

Paizley Allez-Vouz

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For those of you who say posting your work on the internet is bad, bad, bad, I offer a contrary opinion from Cory Doctorow, courtesy of Forbes Magazine, Dec, 2006:

"I've been giving away my books ever since my first novel came out, and boy has it ever made me a bunch of money.

"When my first novel, Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, was published by Tor Books in January 2003, I also put the entire electronic text of the novel on the Internet under a Creative Commons License that encouraged my readers to copy it far and wide. Within a day, there were 30,000 downloads from my site (and those downloaders were in turn free to make more copies). Three years and six printings later, more than 700,000 copies of the book have been downloaded from my site. The book's been translated into more languages than I can keep track of, key concepts from it have been adopted for software projects and there are two competing fan audio adaptations online.

"Most people who download the book don't end up buying it, but they wouldn’t have bought it in any event, so I haven’t lost any sales, I’ve just won an audience."

The whole piece can be found here:

http://www.forbes.com/2006/11/30/cory-doctorow-copyright-tech-media_cz_cd_books06_1201doctorow.html
 

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My dear Paizley, I'm as much of a fan of Cory as you are, but this isn't quite on point. That's about him publishing his books. Unless you turned up here with the intention of actually publishing on AW, it's not the same thing.

The reason we have a password-protected forum for Share Your Work is so that you don't inadvertently compromise your ability to sell first publication rights, not because we are concerned about piracy or anything like that.

Also note that Cory uses free downloads to drive sales of his print books; you don't currently have a version of this book in print to sell.
 

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So, is it possible for an author to gain a following by giving it away for free online? Is it better try that than it is to spend all your time chasing agents and publishers?


What's your plan? Give it away free online, and then hope that all the fans you've acquired will pay for your next work?

Lots of people have tried that, and it never works. I see this all the time with fan fiction authors who are BNFs in their fandom and have thousands of readers encouraging them to go pro. Then they self-publish a work of original fiction, and are lucky if they get double-digit sales.

So first, how do you think you are going to build a following online for a rhyming children's picture book? How many children do you think avidly follow online authors? And assuming you do, how will you monetize your following?

tl;dr version: NO.
 

Cyia

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Thanks, Polenth.

I'm not really looking for critiques, though. I'm quite happy with the text.

I am, as I wrote, hoping to find someone who knows of an agent who likes this kind of thing, and it would be hard for people to know what I mean without posting the text.

And that could be your biggest problem. The text needs work; the rhyme scheme is wonky, which is the single biggest factor in why rhyming books don't work. They're not as simple as people think they are.

And this:
If someone does try to steal Hairy Harry, and succeed, they might actually be doing me a favour because I would not only sue and win, but I would also likely land a fat contract because I have five other stories just like it and can write many many more.

Is a HORRIBLY mistaken assumption.

At best, you might prove ownership of the words, though at the point of publication, those words would have been edited. You'd still have to contend with the issue of the illustrations for any final product - which you would NOT own. They'd be the property of the artist and in use by the publisher.

AND, assuming you managed to convince someone (after the sort of lengthy and expensive mess copyright claims can go through) that the book IS yours, there's no "fat contract" waiting on the other side for you.

Picture book contracts aren't "fat" to begin with. And on a contested work? Forget it. The only destination for the series would be the shredder because no publisher is going to touch a contested work when there are - literally - thousands of equitable, and likely hundreds of superior, series they can put out without the hassle.

You CANNOT equate the online use of novel material with that of picture books. The markets, and the rules, are different.
 
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